Bells of Balangiga return home after a century

After a century of being in the United States, the historic Balangiga Bells have returned home. They were taken as war trophies in 1901 by American soldiers during the Philippine-American War.

The bells landed at Villamor Air Base last Tuesday, arriving by a C-130 plane from Japan. The bells will be brought back to Balangiga, Easter Samar on Saturday.

U.S. Embassy officials turned over the bells to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a solemn ceremony. The event closes a dark chapter in the history of the two countries.

“It is my great honor to be here at this closing of a painful chapter in our history,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. He added that the relationship between the two countries “has withstood the tests of history and flourishes today.”

Bells returned because of President’s “political will”

Continuing the work that previous administrations have done, President Rodrigo Duterte first demanded the return of the bells to Balangiga Church during his second State of the Nation Address in July 2017.  

In as statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that it is Duterte’s “strong political will” which finally led to the return of the bells.

“Many have tried, but it is our President’s strong political will and unquestionable dedication in asserting the rights of our country and its people which significantly contributed to this event coming into fruition,” said Panelo.

“We express our sincerest gratitude to all stakeholders from both the Philippines and the United States who worked tirelessly and selflessly for the return of the bells.”

The bloody history of the Balangiga Bells

The Bells of Balangiga were taken by U.S. forces in September 1901 from Balangiga Church. Machete-wielding Filipinos killed 48 out of 74 U.S. soldiers, in one of the U.S. army’s worst single-battle losses during the Filipino-American War. In retaliation, the U.S. forces razed the town, killing thousands of Filipinos in what was known as the Balangiga Massacre.

The Americans took the bells as war trophies. Two were installed as a memorial for fallen U.S. troops at a military base in Wyoming. The third was displayed in a U.S. base in South Korea.